Defense attorney: Merced DA’s son is innocent

MERCED (AP) — The attorney for a California district attorney’s son charged with murder says his client is innocent and authorities have arrested the wrong person.

Kirk McAllister, who is representing 18-year-old Ethan Morse, also tells the Merced Sun-Star Merced County sheriff’s officials have not been thorough or fair in their investigation. Morse, the son of Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse II, is charged in connection with an alleged gang-related shooting at a party last year that left 18-year-old Bernabed Hernandez-Canela dead.

Sheriff Tom Cavallero said he stands by his detectives’ investigation.

Morse is not accused of firing any weapons, but allowing someone else to shoot from his vehicle. Prosecutors have charged another teen, 18-year-old Jacob Tellez, with the shooting.

Two other people were shot and killed at the same party, and two other teens have been charged in their deaths.